Convertible couch



June 5, 1945. A. ROTH 2,377,374

CONVERTIBLE coucn Filed Jan. 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JFzzJerzZfor A HDREW R T H June 5, 1945. R'QTH 2,377,374

CONVERTIBLE COUCH Filed Jan. 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 5, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I I 2,377,374- CONVERTIBLE ooUon Andrew Roth, Philadelphia, Pa.

"Application January 7, 1942, Serial No. 425,807 (01. -17) 6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to beds of the couch or davenport type and more particularly to a construction thereof which enables the couch to be converted into a double bed.

It is among the principal objects of the'present invention to provide aconvertible couch of the character just stated which is of simple and inexpensive construction, which is sturdy and neat in appearance, and which may be readily transformed for use as a double bed, the construction of the couch being such that it normallyresembles inappearance the conventional type of'couch or davenport now in extensive use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that the invention consistssubstantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts; all as described in detail hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawingsand a finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In theaccompanying drawings; which are illustrative of apreferred construction of the present invention, t

Figure 1: is a perspective view of the unit constructed. inaccordance with. and embodying the principles of the present invention, the unit as shown. in this. figure being set up for normal'use asam ordinary couchor davenport;

Figure 2- is a perspective view showing the understruct'ure' of the couchv partially extended for converting the couchfor use as a double bed;

Figure 3' is a perspective view of the unit set up for use as a double bed;

Figure 4 is. an end elevational view of the unit with partsthereof shown in section;v

Figure 5 is a horizontalsectional view of azpart of the under-structure taken along the-lines. 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 61 is a vertical sectional view of the under-structure taken substantially along the lines 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing certain constructional details of the under-structure of the couch unit; and

' Figure. 8. is a sectional view showing, a detail of the pivot construction.

Essentiallmthe couch unit of the present invention consists of an under-structure or foundation made up' of a rigid frame which is normally stationary in position, and a pair of movable frame sections which are each pivoted'to the stationary frame insuch manner that they may be each rotitted;through an angle of approximately 90 so as to project them. in extended parallel: relation frontally of the fixed frame of the couch unit to provide a bedstead of a size and shape approximating that' of the conventional double bed. An important feature of the construction of the present invention resides in the fact that the movable frame members are relatively so proportioned that when they are extended intov position to form the doublebedstead, the long or sleeping axis of the bed parallels the long axis of the couch. Consequently, it is only'necessary to shift one of thecouch mattresses laterally of its normal position on the couch to cover the extended portions of the movable frames. The single mattress so shifted is one of the two mattresse with which the couch is normally provided, and in view of the fact that the second mattress need not be moved when the couch is converted into the double bed, it may be secured permanently to the fixed frame of the couch understructure or. chassis. I

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be observed that the unit of the present invention includes a supporting under-structure designated generally by the reference numeral l0 upon which is normally disposed a pair of superimposed mattresses II and I2. When the unit is employed as a conventional couch, it may be placed flat against a. wall, as shown in Figure 4, in which case several back cushions l3 may be employed to provide back rests for persons who may occupy the couch in sittin positions. These back rest cushions l3- are, of course, individually removable and form no part of the present invention. a

The supporting structure for the mattresses H and 12 includes a pair, of vertically spaced main framemembers l4 and I5 which are each of substantially rectangular construction and arranged in vertically spaced relation. These frame members l4 and I5 constitute the fixed or stationary parts of the unit and are secured together along their longitudinally extending rear edges by fiat spacing member IS. The lower frame member I4 is fitted at each of its four corners with a supporting leg I1, while the. upper frame members l5 supports the lower fixed mattress II. It will be noted in this connection that the said mattress II is upholstered to the frame .15 so that the covering material for the mattress ll extends about and conceals from view the marginal edges of the upper frame 15. Preferably, the mattress II, as also the upper mattress I2, is of the innerspring, construction, thus dispensing with the need for any spring ,or other such resilient suspension within-.the'frame 15: itself. However, if

desired, the mattress ll need not be upholstered to the frame I5, but instead may be formed as a separate removable type of cushion mattress, and the frame I may be provided with a suitable resilient support within the confines thereof for resiliently supporting the cushion mattress.

Interposed between the vertically spaced, fixed frame members I4 and I5 are a pair of movable frames I8 and I9, these latter being shown more particularly in Figures 5 and 6. As appears most clearly in Figure 5, these movable frame members I8 and I9 are each of approximately square formation and are respectively pivoted between the fixed frame members I4 and I5 by the vertically extending pivot pins 28 and 2| fixed in the front longitudinals of the said frames I4 and I5. The intermediate frame members I8 and I9 may thus be rotated about their respective pivot pins and 2| in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 5 through angles of approximately 90, both of the frame members I8 and I9 being shiftable in a common horizontal plane from their position, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, into their extended positions, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

It will be apparent that the intermediate movable frame members I8 and I9 serve to maintain the fixed frame members I4 and I5 in vertically spaced relation. In addition, if desired, the pivot pins 20 and 2I may be provided with spacer collars 2 I to insure proper vertical spacing between the front edges of the fixed frame members [4 and I5.

The outer edges of each of the movable frame members I8 and I9 are provided in each case with upwardly extending flanges 22 and 23, which E frames. If desired, of course, the flanges 22 and 23 may be dispensed with without affecting the operating efficiency of the unit. Preferably, the movable frame members I8 and I9 are each fitted with a supporting panel 24 of any suitable material, such as ply wood, canvas or the like, or these frames may be fitted with any suitable resilient support for the mattress which is superimposed thereon. The opposite free corners of each movable frame are each provided with a supporting leg 25, these legs being relatively so placed as to clear the supporting legs I! of the stationary frame when the movable frame members I8 and I9 are swun into closed position, as shown, for example, in Figure 1.

Inasmuch as the conventional couch is normally of a length more than twice that of its width, the width of the couch being normally such as to provide for comfortable seating'of a person thereon with his back against the cushions I3, it will be observed that in the unit of the present invention the width of each of the mov able frame members I8 and I9 substantially equals the normal width of the couch. Consequently, when these movable members I8 and I9 are swung into their extended positions, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, their combined widths do not equal the length of the'couch, the movable members being relatively so pivoted to the fixed under-structure of the couch as to leave a space between the movable members when they are exas at 21, to provide an inverted rabbet.

tended in parallel relation frontally of the couch.

This space is approximately equal to the differencebetween the overall length of the couch and the combined widths of the extended movable members. To fill this space between the extended movable members there is provided an extensible panel 26, this panel being normally disposed beneath the unit when the latter is set up as a couch, as shown in Figure 1, and adapted to be extended forwardly of the couch, as shown in Figure 2, when the unit is set up as a double bed. As appears most clearly in Figures 2, 6 and 7, this extensible intermediate member 26 is under out along its opposite longitudinally extending edges, The front and inner-side edges of each of the movable frame members I8 and I9 are complementally rabbeted, as at 28 and 29, to provide laterally projecting flanges which underlie and serve as supports for the laterally extending flanges of the intermediate member 28. Thus, when the unit is set up as a couch, as shown, for example, in Figure 1, the intermediate member 26 is supported between the frame members I8 and I9 by'the interengagement of the lateral flanges of the member 26 with the flanges 2929 of the said frame members. On the other hand, when the frame members are swung into extended position, as shown in Figure 3, the intermediate member 26 is extended frontally of the couch and is supported between the frame members by the interengagement of the lateral flanges of the member 26 with the flanges 2828 of the extended frame members.

Not only does the intermediatev member 28 serve to fill the space normally existing between the extended frame members I8 and I9, but it also serves to maintain the latter in parallel relation. In order to prevent unintentional spreading of the extended frame members away from'each other, a detent 30 is pivoted, as at 3I, to one of the movable frame members, the freeend of the detent being kerfed, as at 32, for engagement with a pin 33 provided in the other of said movable frame members. Thus, the detent 30 serves to lock the extended frame members together, as shown in Figure 3. It will be understood, of course, that when the movable frame members I8 and I9 are extended into open position,all that is necessary to complete the double bed set up is to shift the upper mattress I2 forwardly of the lower fixed mattress II and on to the extended frame, as shown in Figure 3, the sleeping pillows 34 being then arranged as shown.

It will be understood, of course, that the'invention is capable to various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time'wlthout departing from the real spirit or general principles thereof, and it is accordingly intended to claim the invention broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is: V

1. In a convertible couch, an under structure consisting of a pair of relatively fixed vertically spaced main frames and a pair of auxiliary frames disposed in a common plane and respectively fitted between said main framesat opposite ends of the latter, said auxiliary'frames being pivoted to the main frames whereby to permit said auxiliary frames to be rotated in the com v mon plane of said auxiliary frames into a position where said latter frames extend in parallel relation frontally of said main framespthe'couch under-structure being thus widened to accommodate a pair of mattresses disposed in co-planar relation.

2. In a convertible couch, an under-structure the under-structure and intermediate the opposite ends thereof whereby to permit said auxiliary frames to be rotated respectively through angles of approximately ninety degrees and in directions toward and away from each other.

3. In a convertible couch, an under-structure therefor including a pair of vertically spaced relatively fixed main frame members, a pair of movable frame members nested between said main frame members, said movable frame members being arranged in co-planar relation and each occupying less than half the area of' the main frame members, said movable frame members being pivoted to the main frame members for rotation toward and away from each other through angles of approximately ninety degrees, and an auxiliary member also nested between said frame members and adapted to occupy the free space between said movable members.

4. In a convertible couch, an under-structure therefor including a pair of vertically spaced relatively fixed main frame members, a pair of movable frame members nested between said main frame members, said movable frame members being arranged in co-planar relation with their front, outer and rear edges normally disposed flush with the corresponding edges of the main frame members, said movable frame members being each of a length somewhat less than, half the overall length of the main frame members whereby to provide a space between the inner ends of said movable members, pivot means interconnecting each of the movable members with the main members to permit the former to be rotated toward and away from each other through angles of approximately ninety degrees,

and an auxiliary member nested between said main members and adapted to occupy the space provided between said movable members when the latter are positioned between said main members, said auxiliary member being shiftable forwardly of the main members to fit between said movable members when the latter are rotated into positions extending frontally of the said main members of the couch under-structure.

5. In a convertible couch, a relatively fixed main supporting frame for a pair of superposed couch mattresses, said frame including a pair of vertically spaced members, a pair of movable frames respectively disposed between said vertically spaced members of the frame and pivoted thereto for rotation from positions within the confines of the relatively fixed main frame to positions extending freely from the front thereof,

said movable frames being each of a size and shape that when fully nested between the spaced members of the main frame, the frontal edges of all of said nested frames are substantially disposed in a common vertical plane, the arrangement being further such that when said movable frames are freely extended with respect to said main frame, they conjointly provide a support for one of said couch mattresses with the upper surface of the latter disposed in substantially co-p'lanar relation with respect to that of the other mattress.

6. In a convertible couch of the character defined in claim 5 wherein said movable frames are relatively of such size and so pivoted with respect to the main frame as to leave a free space therebetween when the same are swung into their freely extending mattress-supporting positions, said couch including an auxiliary co-planar member slidably disposed between the spaced members of the main frame and adapted to be extended from its normal retracted position to occupy said space to provide a central support for the mattress, and means on said pivoted members for supporting said auxiliary member in either of its retracted or extended positions.

ANDREW ROTH. 

